By Laura Smiley - Summit FM Sales Director

Physical activity is key to improving our health. Based on the latest science, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is a flagship resource that provides recommendations on how everyone can improve their health through regular physical activity. Learn ways to understand the benefits of physical activity and exercise and how to make it a part of your regular routine.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans provides evidence-based guidance to help you maintain or improve your health through physical activity.

Click here to download the Physical Activity Guidelines from Health.gov

JD Eicher is an Ohio musician known for expressive vocals and meaningful, carefully-crafted songs. He possesses “an original voice, both literally and figuratively. With a lyrical talent culled from the great tradition of American singer/songwriters, Eicher also brings the melodic sensibility of great British songwriters such as Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello." (Wildy's World)

With several full-length albums to his credit, JD was enlisted to create the soundtrack to bestselling author Nicholas Sparks’s (The Notebook, A Walk To Remember) 20th novel, Two By Two. Eicher’s song of the same name - “Two By Two” - was played on Good Morning America, and Eicher and the song are referenced in the novel.

He has since gone on to write his own novel and companion album (The Lights Along Majesto and the album, Majesto Sessions) and continues his trend of being a go-to producer for bespoke and special project music.

A musician who tours extensively in the US, Eicher has shared billing with a wide range of well-known acts, including Coldplay, Maroon 5, Train, The Fray, Matt Nathanson, Sister Hazel, Red Wanting Blue, and more.

The Summit FM reminds you that the best way to support the musicians you love is by buying merch directly from the artist!

Visit JDEicher.com for more information.

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

Ask a handful of different people to describe the music of the 1980s and odds are good you'll get as many different answers as people. From rappers and ragged punk leftovers to the shiny MTV stars, to the metal brigade, to the slick urban contemporary and twang laden pop music -- there was a lot to take in. Some good stuff, but a lot of junk as well.

In the Northwest, things were brewing and a couple bands were showing themselves as 'stars of tomorrow'. Mother Love Bone had all the trappings of 'major league rock stars' but their junkie leader cashed in his chips before they got off the ground. Meanwhile Green River were trying to be the leaders of the pack but were finding it hard to balance their punk roots with arena rock dreams. The obvious happened and the band split in two.

The bands that emerged from this great divide were Pearl Jam, formed by guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament. Perhaps you’ve heard of them? While the more flippant rebels, singer Mark Arm and guitarist Steve Turner, stayed true to their punk roots forming Mudhoney.

Named after a cult classic Russ Meyer film, Mudhoney was primed for maximum rock and roll action. They were one of the first bands to be saddled with the 'grunge' label, and the first to gain real national attention. With the addition of drummer Dan Peters and bassist Matt Lukin, they recorded their debut single for Sub Pop. Recorded in July of 1988 and released a month later, the now classic 'Touch Me, I'm Sick,' b/w 'Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More' was the world's introduction to Mudhoney.

The single took college radio by storm, selling out the initial pressing ot 1000 copies and helping establish Sub Pop as the new hot label of the time. One listen 35 years later proves what all the fuss was about. The power and glory of the songs still resonates like a fresh punch in the gut. While both songs were rooted in a sort of 70s punk meets 60s garage approach, there was something distinctly different about Mudhoney compared to the bulk of the 'grunge' brigade. 

While acknowledging influences like Dead Boys, the Sonics, Blue Cheer and Billy Childish, they always had their own identity with high-octane energy and a healthy sense of humor propelling them.

A long run of singles and albums would follow for the next several years. The band eventually signed to Warner Bros. before ultimately returning home to Sub Pop. Obviously, many of the other bands of the Seattle scene would go on to eclipse Mudhoney commercially, but Mudhoney, in many ways, have the last laugh.

They have stayed true to, while expanding upon, their original vision, remaining the misfits they always were. They are still out there making new music -- in fact, their latest single, 'Little Dogs,' has been getting regular spins here at the Summit! Three cheers for Mudhoney!

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

After six years of consistently upping their game, the Police entered 1983 somewhat on top of the world. Each previous album was more successful than the one before it, they were on the radio, on MTV, and selling out concerts. Their unique hybrid of pop, rock and reggae varnished with a punk energy had proved a winning combination scoring hits such as "Roxanne," "Message in a Bottle," "Don't Stand So Close To Me," and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." There was nowhere to go but up!

Released in the summer of 1983, Synchronicity would serve as not only the band's biggest seller but their swan song. Talk about going out on a high note! The album hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts and went Top 10 around the globe. Stylistically the album brought in a new angle on the band's sound. The man behind the board on Ghost In The Machine, the ever talented Hugh Padgham was brought back as the band decided a bigger but less cluttered sound would mark this album.

That approach was the ticket as the singles ''King Of Pain," "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Every Breath You Take" all gracing the Top 10 with the latter claiming the number one spot -- their only chart topper!

After the Synchronicity tour the Police took a well-deserved break which, sadly, turned into the demise of the band. A few live shows and some failed attempts to record another album only showed the band the writing on the wall -- that their time was indeed done. But what an amazing run of music!

In 2007, a highly succesful reunion tour surprised and thrilled Police fans, but as of now, that is the end of the story. On this, the 40th anniversary of Synchronicity, we bring it to you as another 'essential,' though that could be said about pretty much every Police album! Enjoy!

Tune into The Summit FM all day Thursday, June 29 to hear tracks from Synchronicity as our Summit Album Essential of the week!

Meet Bill & Arlene Hazlett of West Akron. Bill & Arlene are members of the Guitar Club and volunteer with The Summit FM on a regular basis. Not only do they volunteer in the office stuffing envelopes, but they also help at events too!

Bill & Arlene are long-time members of the Summit FM and -- fun fact -- are the parents of Development Director Michelle Charles! Bill is a retired public-school teacher and current professor at the University of Akron. Arlene is retired and spends her days quilting and listening to the Summit.

In their spare time, Bill & Arlene love to hike and volunteer for the Summit Metro Parks. They also love to hear their favorite local artists at the various venues around Akron. Arlene says that her favorite artist that she discovered on the Summit FM is Josh Ritter and her favorite local artist is The Labra Brothers. 

Would you like to become a Summit FM Volunteer? Click here for more information!

Summit Sustaining Members got an exclusive invite to visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band Milky Chance this past Wednesday, June 21st! The band hails all the way from Germany, so they were very excited to tour the museum!

They played at Nautica later that night with Talk and Young The Giant.

Become a Summit FM Member for exclusive opportunities like this one! Click here to learn more.

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

It's funny how people like to remember and or write the history books in neat orderly form, as if there were definitive starting points and ending exclamations. This all makes for fine reading and or storytelling, but the truth is never that definitive. The truth is much more fluid with various things going on simultaneously, overlapping one era into another, and so on.

1973 was a banner year for all things prog, glam and trad. Yes, ELP, the Who, Stones, Pink Floyd and solo Beatles were all happening in a big way that year. Eagles had taken flight along with Skynyrd and others who would soar even higher as time moved on. 1973 seemed a different world from changes that would take place over the next few years but a foursome from NYC were overlapping, creating their own little world that would eventually blossom into a local then worldwide movement.

In 1972, guitarist/songwriter Tom Miller had become fast friends with fellow musician Richard Meyers. With little experience, these aspiring New York City rebels decided to form a band. Friend Billy Ficca was added on drums and the trio became the Neon Boys with Miller, rechristened Verlaine on lead guitar and Meyers recast as Richard Hell on bass. The Neon Boys sound was minimal, especially compared with what was happening above ground. Rooted in the raw style of early Rolling Stones, Pretty Things, Velvet Underground, and others, the Neon Boys were delivering music that would become much more commonplace as the next few years unfolded.

The Neon Boys weren't alone in this realization that raw rock and roll was not lost on all. The Modern Lovers in Boston, though a bit more polished, had the same energy and sensibility, while Mirrors were a hidden treasure in Cleveland who, with the Velvet Underground as their guide, dished out their own garage chaos long before Ramones were a household name.

By spring of 1973 Hell had recruited Richard Lloyd on second guitar to complete the line-up who had adopted the new moniker of Television. The foursome was amped up and ready to 'prove it' to whoever would listen, but they found themselves without a venue to perform. Their manager was an aspiring music mogul named Terry Ork, who, within two years, would start his own label, the influential Ork Records. Ork went about finding a place for his new band to play and stumbled upon a new bar on the bowery. Formerly a biker hang out that had just recently been bought by a guy named Hilly Kristal and reinvented as CBGB & OMFUG.

Country, Bluegrass, Blues, and other Music for uplifting Gormandizers was what that batch of seemingly random letters stood for. This was Hilly's vision for what the tavern would feature, but ultimately, of course, it was the musicians who would give the club its identity. Television was the first of this new breed of bands to adopt CBGB as home away from home. In short order Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Dictators and many more would also embrace this dive on the Bowery making it the unlikely springboard for an entire movement.

Television carried on developing their style despite losing founding member Richard Hell in 1975, who went on to form another classic band, the Voidoids. Demos were recorded and though those demos were often credited as being produced by Brian Eno, it depends on who you talk to. Ultimately it seems Eno's involvement was minimal and ultimately, the band didn't use them.

With bassist Fred Smith now in the lineup, Television recorded their debut single. Released in 1975 by Ork Records, 'Little Johnny Jewel,' somewhat kickstarted the idea of independent labels of that era. The single got good press but ultimately failed to live up to what the band were truly capable of.

Another year of treading the boards at CBGB and the band were signed to Elektra Records. With the solid twin guitar power of Verlaine and Lloyd atop the powerhouse rhythm section of Ficaa and Smith, Television would emerge from the fog of those early days with the forever classic album, 'Marquee Moon.' Released in 1977, it stands as a monument of creativity and perseverance.

They had no idea at the time, but these scrappy kids with rock and roll, poetry and art on their minds set something in motion back in 1973 that still produces ripples 50 years on. At the risk of horrible cliche, this was one Television that should be turned on.

By Ryan Humbert - Summit FM Contributor

What is Americana music, anyway? Wikipedia says "Americana is an amalgam of American music formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the musical ethos of the United States, specifically those sounds that are emerged from the Southern United States such as folk, gospel, blues, country, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, bluegrass, and other external influences.

While that description doesn't necessarily help dispel any confusion, hearing a few examples might! Here are five songs new Americana tunes for your listening pleasure!

Don't forget to tune into the Americana Roundup, every Sunday morning from 9 to 11AM on The Summit FM -- hosted by Ryan Humbert, lead singer of the Shootouts. For more information, visit AmericanaRoundup.com.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - "This Ain't It"

A great track from Jason's new album "Weathervanes" which is chock-full of his unique storytelling, killer guitar hooks, and heartbreaking imagery. This song rocks - check out the extended solos at the end!

Lucinda Williams - "New York Comeback" (Feat. Bruce Springsteen)

Following a stroke in November 2020 that has left her without the ability to play guitar, Lucinda Williams is back with a new album, "Stories From a Rock & Roll Heart" dropping everywhere June 30th. This rocking and triumphant song features none other than Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scalfia on harmony and backing vocals. Don't count her out yet -- she's swinging for the fences with this one! (P.S. Her new autobiography is available now, and highly recommended!)

Allison Russell - "The Returner"

Allison Russell's new song "The Returner" finds her returning in fine form, with another gorgeous, slow-burning anthem that's rooted in acoustic guitar and choir-like harmony vocals. This is the first single from her upcoming album of the same name, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed album "Outside Child."

Bruce Cockburn - "On a Roll"

Legendary Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn is back with a new album, "O Sun O Moon" -- his first since 2017's "Bone on Bone." This acoustic-rooted song finds the 77-year-old reflecting on growing old while still maintaining a positive outlook.

Summer Dean "She's In His Arms, But I'm in The Palm of His Hand"

In a perfect world, Summer Dean would be a household name. Her new album "The Biggest Life" was recorded live-in-the-studio with producer Bruce Robison and a top-notch band that frames her gorgeous songwriting in just the right light. This single has a classic country theme topped off with mariachi style horns and Spanish guitar flourishes.

By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor

Talking Heads were, and remain, one of the most interesting rock and roll bands in history. Their almost shy and awkward beginnings quickly gave way to art school bravado and ultimately to a warehouse full of interesting ideas and musical adventure. Over the course of their first three albums, they had consistently re-arranged their approach, putting different elements in a different light each time. Rhythms ebbed and flowed as guitars gave way to otherworldly sounds and back again.

With the ground breaking and truly essential Remain In Light, released in 1980, Talking Heads were poised to take on the world. Three more major factors in that equation were the side projects from band members at the time. Jerry Harrison delivered The Red And The Black, an album awash in funk, soul, reggae and pop. At the same time, David Byrne and Brian Eno made the incredible My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts, an album combining experimental, sampling (before the fact), world music, found sounds, Krautrock and more into one incredible sound painting. To top things off, the stellar rhythm section of Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz made the Tom Tom Club LP, which proved to be as influential and groundbreaking in a different arena, flooding dancefloors and shaking hands with hip-hop culture.

With all these elements, the Talking Heads served up their biggest album to that time, Speaking In Tongues, which hit No. 15 on the US charts and ultimately selling into platinum territory. The album's first single was a major hit. "Burning Down The House" broke the Top 10, and remains one of the band's best known and most loved songs. "Girlfriend Is Better" and "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" also brought people into the party, whose sound was shaped by the aforementioned side projects then recast Talking Heads style.

The tour that followed would be captured on film by Jonathan Demme and later released as Stop Making Sense, routinely heralded as one of the finest concert films ever made.

The Talking Heads would last another five years before calling it a day but Speaking In Tongues was the commercial peak of a band who knew few, if any, boundaries for their artistic invention, something we truly need more of these days. In a word, essential!

Tune into The Summit FM all day Thursday, June 22 to hear tracks from Speaking in Tongues as our Summit Album Essential of the week!